Age Based Rights

Becoming an Adult

The age of majority is 19 in BC. This means once you turn 19 you are considered an adult. You can now make your own decisions in most situations including medical care, legal matters and finances. 

Driver's License

Once you turn 16 you are able to apply for a driver’s license. If you are under 19 you will need a parent or guardian’s permission to apply.

See Getting my driver’s license
 

Consent to Sexual Activity

People must generally be at least 16 to be able to legally agree to sexual activity. But if 16 or 17 years old, you can only consent to sexual activity if the other person is not in a position of authority or trust and there is no exploitation or dependency.
 

Get a Lawyer (non criminal)

The Child & Youth Legal Centre can provide legal advice, information, and representation for children and youth in a number of areas including child protection, family law, and human rights. Call: 778-657-5544 or toll free at 1-877-462-0037

Voting

The minimum age Canadian citizens can vote in municipal, provincial or federal elections is 18. 

Babysitting

There is no law setting out the minimum age for babysitting in BC. However, babysitting courses are typically only offered to children who are at least 11 years old. There is also a BC Supreme Court case which stated that children under 10 should not be left unsupervised. 

Right to a Lawyer

If you’re a youth in BC who’s been arrested, you have the right to speak to a lawyer. You also have rights under the Youth Criminal Justice Act to talk to your parents or another trusted adult, and to have them along with a lawyer in the room with you if you choose to talk to police. 

To contact a free lawyer, call Legal Aid at 604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver) or 1-866-577-2525 (elsewhere in BC).

Access School Records

Students have rights of access to their own records. Parents also have the right to access their school aged child’s records. 

Make a Will

You must be at least 16 years old to make a will in BC. 

Donate Blood

You have to be at least 17 to donate blood in Canada. There are other requirements you must meet to be eligible. Figure out if you are eligible: Am I eligible to donate blood?

Change Your Name

Once you turn 19 you can change your name without needing your parent or guardian's permission. However, if you are younger than 19 years old and a parent with custody of your child, you may apply for a legal change of name for yourself and/or your child without consent of your parent(s).

Treated as an Adult by the Criminal Justice System

If you are accused of a crime after you turn 18, your case will be governed by adult criminal procedures. You no longer have many of the special protections afforded to youth. 

Buying alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana, lottery tickets, and gambling 

You are an adult and now have the responsibility of making decisions in your own best interest.

Work without needing permission

You don’t need parent permission to work once you are 16, but until you turn 18, you aren’t allowed to do “hazardous work” like logging.

See Working 101.
 

Apply for an Adult Passport

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for an adult passport. You can find the application here.

Join the Military without Parent/Guardian Consent

People 18 or older do not need permission from their parents or guardians to join the military. 

Organ Donation

People of any age can register to be organ donors but if you are under 19 you need a parent/guardian sign on your behalf.